Tag: Indian Healthcare

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5 nutrients that can help reduce anxiety

5 nutrients that can help reduce anxiety
  • A good mental health not just requires rest, rejuvenation and de-stressing, but also nutrition. If you are suffering from anxiety, here are nutrients to add.

Your diet can be a secret weapon for mental well-being. Nutrients play a pivotal role in promoting good mental health and reducing anxiety,” says Nutritionist Lovneet Batra in her recent Instagram post.

Vitamin D: Vitamin D has immunomodulatory, neuroprotective, and neurotrophic properties and may affect the brain tissues involved in the pathophysiology of anxiety.

NAC: The anti-inflammatory activity of NAC is protective against chronic inflammation, which is implicated in the pathogenesis of many psychiatric disorders. NAC can influence the balance of a neurotransmitter called glutamate in the brain. Imbalances in glutamate are associated with anxiety disorders, and NAC may help restore this balance.

5 nutrients that can help reduce anxiety

Magnesium: Magnesium is involved in regulating neurotransmitters and the function of the central nervous system. It helps balance the excitatory and inhibitory signals in the brain, potentially reducing anxiety symptoms. Magnesium may stimulate the production of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that has a calming effect on the brain.

Probiotics: Probiotics have the ability to restore normal microbial balance, and therefore have a potential role in the treatment and prevention of anxiety. They can play a key role in mood regulation by helping to reduce inflammation in your body, produce feel-good neurotransmitters, and affect your stress response.

Probiotics: Probiotics have the ability to restore normal microbial balance, and therefore have a potential role in the treatment and prevention of anxiety. They can play a key role in mood regulation by helping to reduce inflammation in your body, produce feel-good neurotransmitters, and affect your stress response.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

World Sight Day: Screen time and meals for kids, tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable

World Sight Day: Screen time and meals for kids, tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable

Poor psycho-social skills, lower cognitive development are seen in kids with increased screen time. On World Sight Day, here are tips on screen time and meals.

As kids grow up, it is difficult to feed them due to their altered food habits and it is a common sight at home to find kids eating meals with TV/tablet/mobile phones. As it takes time to feed kids, it becomes easy for parents to feed them with cartoons playing on the screen but various studies and research show that there are down-side to this habit.

In an interview with HT Lifestyle on World Sight Day, Susmita N, Clinical Nutritionist at Cloudnine Group of Hospitals in Bangalore, Bellandur and Jayanagar, recommended, “As kids grow, we should let them serve and feed themselves. This helps to know the body cues. Watching screen while eating keeps them distracted and they will not pay attention to what food is in the plate, food texture and quantity of food been consumed. It is also observed that there is an increased consumption of unhealthy junk food between meals as they are not able to remember the quantity of foods eaten for meal. Poor intake of vegetables and fruits are also seen in these children.”

Revealing that children who have an increased screen time have more exposure to junk food due to the advertisements that targets the young population, the nutrition expert said, “Kids get attracted to these junk food commercials and crave to eat them leading to alternation of their food habits. Making the children play outside builds up their appetite and they tend to what food is served. This can be taken as an advantage by parents by serving them healthy food options. Avoid junk food as snacks and serve fruits, milkshakes/smoothies, roasted nuts mix, makhana etc that have nutritional value. Keep healthy snacks options ready at home.”

She added, “Family plays an important role during meal time. Parents have to be a role models to children. Having a family meal time away from all distractions help in better eating habits, improve communication skills and help in better bonding. Studies have shown that children who eat together with family have better intake of vegetables, fruits and end up having healthy eating pattern. There is a positive correlation between eating together as a family and better cognitive skills in children leading to improved academic performances.”

World Sight Day: Screen time and meals for kids, tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable

Susmita N suggested the following tips to make mealtime relaxing and enjoyable as possible –

  • Provide wholesome, acceptable foods.
  • Respect the child’s capability. If the child says he/she is full do not force them to empty the food in plate.
  • Allow them to choose from 2 or more healthy foods. Give them healthy options.
  • Don’t nag, bribe or force a child to eat. Always remember that children learn to hate the foods they are forced to eat.
  • Remove any kind of screened electronic devices from dining area.
  • Have age appropriate conversation with your kids. Ask them about how was their day, about their friends and discuss about topics of interest.
  • Plan for tomorrow’s meal keeping the child’s food interest in mind.
  • Be a role model and follow what you preach. Parents should not be distracted while feeding the kids.
  • Preplan the food a day prior. 3major meals and 2 snacks filled with nutrition. Keeping in mind to include grains, colorful vegetables, seasonal fruits and protein sources.
  • Have limited amount of screen time post meal.

She concluded, “Poor psycho-social skills, lower cognitive development are also observed in kids with increased screen time. Reduced physical activity leads to poor metabolism and causes obesity in children. Over a period of time these children grow up to become adults with eating disorders and are relatively obese.”

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

7 signs of poor mental health you shouldn’t ignore

7 signs of poor mental health you shouldn't ignore

Poor mental health can take a heavy toll on physical health and may even lead to serious ailments and chronic health issues.

Poor mental health can directly affect your productivity, moods and relationships. If not addressed, it can put one at risk of mental health disorders. Unlike other illnesses, signs of mental health issues are not clear but some of the early signs of poor mental health are disrupted sleep, sullen mood and irritable behavior. Poor mental health can take a heavy toll on physical health and may even lead to serious ailments and chronic health issues. Like other aspects of health, our mental health also requires attention. If you are finding it difficult to focus, facing sleep issues, suffering from aches and pains or isolating yourself, you must consult a mental health expert to get into the root of your problems.

“Mental health encompasses an individual’s emotional, psychological, and social well-being, shaping their thoughts, emotions, and behaviors. Therefore, it is essential for individuals to remain vigilant for signs that could indicate a decline in their mental well-being. Some of these signs include lack of proper refreshing sleep, sustained mood change, significant changes in energy levels, losing interest, feeling quite insecure, odd experiences of hearing or seeing things that others cannot, thinking of harming self, and losing the meaning of life, sometimes accompanied by aggression,” says Dr Sameer Malhotra, Director and Head – Department of Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences, Max Super Specialist Hospital, Saket.

7 signs of poor mental health you shouldn't ignore

“Our mental health is as important as physical health, and recognizing the signs of struggling mental well-being is crucial for early intervention and support,” says Dr Jyoti Kapoor, Founder-Director and Senior Psychiatrist, Manasthali

Here are 7 poor mental health signs shares by Dr Jyoti Kapoor that one should never ignore:

1. Persistent mood swings: Feeling consistently sad, hopeless, or experiencing drastic mood swings that interfere with daily life can be a sign of depression or other mood disorders.

2. Social withdrawal: If you start isolating yourself, avoiding friends and family, it may indicate emotional distress or social anxiety.

3. Irregular sleeping patterns: Insomnia, oversleeping, or disrupted sleep can be linked to mental health issues.

4. Appetite and weight changes: Significant changes in appetite, whether overeating or undereating, can be indicative of emotional distress.

5. Difficulty in concentrating: Struggling to focus, making decisions, or complete tasks may be a sign of underlying mental health issues, such as anxiety or attention disorders.

6. Constant aches: Unexplained physical symptoms like headaches, stomach aches, or unexplained aches and pains can sometimes be manifestations of emotional distress.

7. Increased substance use: Escalating or excessive use of alcohol, drugs, or other substances as a coping mechanism can be a red flag for mental health problems.

If you or someone you know is exhibiting these signs, please reach out to a mental health professional or a counsellor.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health Uncategorized

Odisha will soon become hub of cancer care in east India: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Odisha will soon become hub of cancer care in east India: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik
Synopsis

Odisha is set to become a hub for cancer care in eastern India, according to Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik. The state has recently inaugurated new facilities at the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer in Cuttack, including two linear accelerators for radiotherapy and a 30-bed day-care unit. The government’s focus is to develop infrastructure for cancer care in public health institutions and attract private investment in the development of cancer care hospitals. The government is also planning to establish more cancer care institutions in the coming years.

Bhubaneswar: Odisha will soon become a hub of cancer care in eastern India, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said on Friday, inaugurating new facilities at the Acharya Harihar Post Graduate Institute of Cancer in Cuttack. Patnaik inaugurated two linear accelerators for radiotherapy and a 30-bed day-care unit. With this, the number of linear accelerators at hospital rose to four.

With the new day-care unit, the number of day-care beds rose to 42. While the state spent Rs 38 crore for the linear accelerators, the new unit cost it Rs 6 crore.

Addressing the function through video conference, Patnaik said Odisha is witnessing a massive transformation in healthcare.

Apart from strengthening the infrastructure of various public health institutions and providing free quality healthcare, the government is now focused on making Odisha a major centre of cancer care in eastern India, he said.

Odisha will soon become hub of cancer care in east India: Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik

Besides infrastructure development for cancer care in public health institutions, the government is roping in private players for investment in the development of cancer care hospitals, he said.

A new cancer hospital is coming up in Jharsuguda, Patanaik said, maintaining that more such institutions will be developed in the next few years.

The chief minister said that the entire cost of treatment at AHPGIC is borne by the government.

Health Minister Niranjan Pujari said AHPGIC is a centre of excellence in cancer treatment, education and research.

The government is spending Rs 1,046 crore for free chemo-therapy and other facilities across the state, he said.

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

HealthCraze: Showcasing the next chapter in Indian healthcare

HealthCare: Showcasing the next chapter in Indian healthcare

Delhi, 4th Oct, 2023: Following the tremendous success of the first roundtable, Peer Capital, 2070 Health, and Amazon Web Services (AWS) got together for a second edition of ‘HealthCraze’. This initiative brought together entrepreneurs, operators, academics, policymakers, and investors from the healthcare sector in an exclusive, invite-only discussion for another glimpse into the future of health innovation complete with opportunities and challenges.

Set against the backdrop of an accelerating Indian economy, HealthCraze acknowledged the role of startups as the frontrunners of transformation and the latent potential that healthcare innovation harbors for value creation. With this backdrop, the participants started off by discussing AI in healthcare: the many value propositions it holds across patient care, clinical workflows, and clinician augmentation, areas where they are witnessing steady adoption, and finally, methods for balancing its challenges and benefits.

The many use cases of AI in healthcare can be split into low implementation solutions that mainly address administrative functions like insurance verification, coding, note-taking, etc., and high implementation solutions largely used for clinical decision-making. There are early signs of adoption in the former with clinicians and hospital systems addressing staff shortages and optimizing costs with such solutions. For the latter, participants concurred that it was the right time to build such tools but they emphasized the need for vigilance to ensure strong data integrity, guardrails, and accuracy. For instance, AI hallucinations, where large language models generate false information or facts, was a prevalent concern.

HealthCare: Showcasing the next chapter in Indian healthcare

Participants felt that while building the product, Al developers should keep in mind the target audience and the value proposition for them. Pankaj Jethwani, CEO at 2070 Health, said, “It is imperative for AI solutions to demonstrate a return on investment for potential customers. This can be in the form of cost savings due to replacement of outdated systems or enhancement of operational efficiency, or reduction in liabilities by decreasing human errors.” Shifting gears, HealthCraze-II also delved into understanding how the concept of ‘inflection point’ is defined in healthcare and how startups reach it.One way to define inflection point is – it is the pivotal moment in a startup’s growth trajectory when there’s no longer a need to explain the category they belong to. A good measure is the “mummy test” – if you can explain the category to your mother/parents without having to provide an explanation, it means that the category is well understood across age groups!

“Inflection points can manifest at the product, geographic or enterprise level, varying with categories. For B2C solutions, organic customer acquisition signifies establishment, while reliance on programs/doctors indicates developmental stages. For B2B players, a key measure is sales cycle contraction – conversion from skeptic to immediate payer i.e. – the day they don’t need a trial and are willing to pay from the first day.” explains Rohit, Managing Partner – Peer Capital.

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COVID-19 Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Cough sound analysis assists in determining severity of Covid-19 patients

Cough sound analysis assists in determining severity of Covid-19 patients
The study states that assessing the cough sounds can help in detecting the risk of severe pneumonia

While most persons infected with COVID-19 experience minor symptoms and recover in a matter of weeks, the global pandemic caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains a significant health danger.

Some of those infected may develop more severe illness and pneumonia, resulting in a more bleak outlook.

Although techniques for assessing patients’ risk have been created, diagnostic and prognostic tools rely mostly on expensive and less accessible imaging technologies such as radiography, ultrasonography, or computed tomography (CT).

As a result, there is a need for the development of a simpler and more easily accessible prognostic tool that allows healthcare providers to identify individuals who have developed or are at risk of getting severe disease. This would simplify patient triage and allow for earlier intervention, even at home or in primary care settings.

In the early stages of COVID-19, a research team directed by IBEC and Hospital del Mar, with support from the Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC), CIBER-BBN, and CIBERES, conducted a study based on the analysis and interpretation of cough sounds.

Cough sound analysis assists in determining severity of Covid-19 patients

This method is given as a potentially predictive, straightforward, and user-friendly tool for assessing the risk of severe pneumonia.

The study included smartphone recordings of voluntarily coughing sounds from 70 patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection, all taken within the first 24 hours of their hospitalisation.

IBEC performed an acoustic analysis of these recordings, which revealed significant changes in cough sounds depending on the severity of the respiratory ailment, which had previously been confirmed by imaging tests and the requirement for supplemental oxygen.

According to the findings, this approach might be utilised to classify COVID-19 patients as mild, moderate, or severe, as well as to monitor patients with chronic COVID-19. The study used data obtained at Hospital del Mar between April 2020 and May 2021, and the results were published in the European Respiratory Journal Open Research.

Read more at-https://shorturl.at/dlnuI

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COVID-19 Medical Updates Medicine & Health

Long Covid prevalence vastly overestimated?

Long Covid prevalence vastly overestimated?

A group of scientists claim that flawed studies lacking control groups has mislead and increased public anxiety.

Our understanding of COVID is constantly evolving, much as the virus is itself. For example, new evidence shows that anti viral drugs aiming to treat the disease may in fact be fueling the virus’ evolution. Scientists said antiviral use increases the genetic diversity of the virus in the wild and provided more options for future evolution.

Another area is long COVID. Some studies estimate the prevalence of post-COVID symptoms is 25-45%.

However, scientists have cast doubt on these studies.

An opinion piecein BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine claims these studies have been misleading and vastly overestimate the prevalence of long COVID.

“Overly broad definitions”, “methodological flaws”, “striking absence of control groups”: these are just some of the issues of long COVID research studies according to scientists writing in an influential medical journal.

The US authors believe poorly conducted studies and lack of clarity around how to diagnoselong COVID has led “undue concern and anxiety” in the public.

They claim that treatable conditions are commonly misdiagnosed as long COVID, which diverts attention and funds away from people who truly suffer from conditions not caused by COVID-19.

“I think this publication is important because it gives food for thought. The first thesis put forward by the authors is that the frequency of long COVID is overestimated. I partially agree with that,” said Andreas Stallmach, head of the long COVID Center, Jena University Hospital, Germany.

The researchers call for clearer definitions and diagnostic criteria for long COVID, and the use of longitudinal studies with appropriate controls to better monitor the illness.

Long COVID or post-COVID symptoms?

One of the major issues the piece highlights is the lack of consistent terminology around long COVID and related post-COVID syndromes and symptoms.

None of the definitions provided by health bodies like the World Health Organization (WHO) and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CD) requires a causal link between the COVID-19 virus and a long COVID diagnosis.

The piece highlights several studies which failed to confirm prior COVID-19 infection in patients included in long COVID studies.

Long Covid prevalence vastly overestimated?

“Many studies include a broad range of symptoms without any evidence of a causal link to SARS-CoV-2 infection,” the authors write.

“Over 200 symptoms are now associated with COVID-19. All are largely unspecific and without a causal connection to the disease,” Peter Berlit, Secretary General, German Society for Neurology (DGN), told media outlets.

According to Berlit, the only hallmark symptoms of COVID-19 are impaired sense of smell and taste.

“There are also quite specific patterns of neurocognitive disorders that can last longer. But very few long-lasting symptoms can be attributed solely to COVID-19,” he said.

Studies lack rigor

The authors also claim many studies lack control groups with people who didn’t test positive for COVID-19, highlight a recent systemic review which identified control groups were only included in 11% of long COVID studies.

“I agree with the shortcomings described in the BMJ analysis. For example, the initial lack of control groups, the lack of a clear definition of the disease. Such deficiencies can distort the risk of disease.” said Clara Leman, an infectious disease specialist at Cologne University Hospital.

Berlit added that inadequate control groups in many studies have certainly contributed to the disease risk being overestimated today.

“Even in the opinion of many doctors, the number of long COVID patients is far too high,” said Berlit.

Long Covid not as prevalent as thought?

The piece highlights several, rigorous, long COVID studies which the authors believe give an accurate, “more reassuring” picture of long COVID prevalence.

For example, the study would refute the WHO’s claims that 36 million people in Europe are suffering from long COVID.

For example, a UK study found that 12 common symptoms of long COVID were prevalent in 5% of people 12-16 weeks after a COVID-19 infection.

However, the same symptoms were found in 3.4% of people who did not have a COVID-19 infection, showing only a 1.4% difference.

These figures also show how relatively common symptoms are in the population at any given time, say the authors.

The study calls for a new definition of long COVID which should include continuous symptoms after confirmed COVID-19 infection, and take into considering physical and mental health, which may contribute to an individual’s post-COVID experience.

“The fundamental problem is that there are currently no clear biomarkers or radiological findings that allow a clear diagnosis of long COVID,” said Lehmann.

Long COVID still a major health issue for some

The fact remains that many people are still struggling with debilitating long COVID symptoms, with women less likely to recover from long COVID.

While the authors strongly criticized the state of long COVID research, they hope their recommendations for research of long COVID will improve standards of medicine for those who do have long COVID.

Berlit stated that he agrees, saying we need to know more about patients’ history and social situation, as many previous physical and mental illnesses lead to an increased risk of long COVID.

“I’m not talking about long COVID being an imaginary illness, but depending on your previous illness and your life situation, just dealing with the potentially serious infection can lead to long-lasting symptoms,” said Berlit.

Researchers have identified a number of risk factors, but are still trying to work out what exactly causes long COVID in some people, and not in others.

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COVID-19 Medical Equipments Medicine & Health

What is Disease X; can this potential threat be deadlier than Covid? Doctor explains

What is Disease X; can this potential threat be deadlier than Covid? Doctor explains

While Covid-19 pandemic is almost over, healthcare professionals are now preparing for a potential new pandemic called Disease X.

The next pandemic could take 50 million lives said Dame Kate Bingham, who chaired the UK’s Vaccine Taskforce saying that it might already be on its way and that Covid-19 was not that lethal. The new pandemic has been dubbed Disease X by World Health Organisation (WHO) and Bingham says it could be 20 times deadlier than Coronavirus. Bingham told Daily Mail, “The world will have to prepare for mass vaccination drives and deliver the doses in record time…Imagine Disease X is as infectious as measles with the fatality rate of Ebola (67 per cent). Somewhere in the world, it’s replicating, and sooner or later, somebody will start feeling sick.”

According to Bingham, while scientists have identified 25 virus families encompassing thousands of individual viruses, there are millions of other viruses yet to be discovered, reported the Daily Mail.

“While Covid-19 and its variants have impact in terms of recurring and familiar health issues, healthcare professionals are now preparing for a potential new pandemic called Disease X. Healthcare experts have issued a caution that this new virus can be as devastating as the Spanish Flu. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), “Disease X refers to pathogen – known/potentially unknown that can cause large scale, serious pandemic leading to mass scale human disease,” says Dr Neha Rastogi, Consultant, infectious disease, Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurugram.

What is Disease X?

“Disease X is possibly and plausibly caused by a ‘pathogen X’. It could be related to zoonotic disease likely an RNA virus, emerging from an area where the epidemiological triad – environment host favours sustained transmission. These emerging/re-emerging z pathogens can be labelled as X and they are a threat which mandates intense and ongoing active surveillance and monitoring,” says Dr Rastogi.

What is Disease X; can this potential threat be deadlier than Covid? Doctor explains

There are postulated data about the possibility of syndrome X as an engineered pandemic pathogen. Incidental laboratory accidents or as an act of bioterrorism, might lead to a disastrous Disease X which can be potentially pose global catastrophic risk, says the expert.

Prevention

“Containment and mitigation strategies involve development and implementation of uniform international guidelines to control bioterrorism. Immediate and appropriate travel restrictions including strict airport screening requires to be implemented to contain the spread of pathogen X across borders. It also necessitates collaborative approach of global leaders, scientists, epidemiologists, and infectious disease experts to investigate, control, and eliminate disease X. Widespread and mass testing, surveillance and aggressive contact tracing are potential effective tools to timely contain outbreak like situations,” says Dr Rastogi.

“Concentrated efforts to accelerate the access, rapid availability of immediate medical measures – test kits, vaccines, and first aid required before and during the pandemic. Ongoing continuum of research on preventive aspect – development and process of vaccines needs boost and heightened priorities to abate and combat severe adverse consequences of disease X,” she says.

“A One Health approach which aims at bridging institutional gaps, building and stratifying priority risk and alert pathogens and emphasizing on mitigation strategies for emerging and re-emerging pathogens – potential disease X should be the need of an hour to prevent these global and global catastrophes,” concludes the expert.

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Medical Equipments Medicine & Health

World Heart Day 2023: Sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, heart failure; what’s the difference? Cardiologist explains

World Heart Day 2023: Sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, heart failure; what's the difference? Cardiologist explains

A cardiologist explains how the three CVD conditions – heart attacks, heart failure and sudden cardiac deaths, differ in condition, symptoms, and treatment.

Heart health has been one of the biggest casualties in the today’s fast-paced routine that leaves little time and space for developing healthy lifestyle habits which can go a long way in preventing onset of chronic diseases. Rise in heart attacks, sudden cardiac arrest and other cardiovascular conditions has become a cause of concern. Stress, alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise, poor diet are among the major factors that are affecting heart health of people of all age groups. While people are hitting gyms to stay in shape, they are hardly modifying their food habits and taking measures to control stress, which could be causing sudden cardiac events and deaths.

“India accounts for approximately a quarter of cardiovascular disease (CVDs) related deaths worldwide, with an estimated 17.9 million deaths annually. An equally disturbing number of hospitalizations supplement the alarming number of deaths due to multiple categories of cardiovascular conditions. A study published by the Asian Pacific Society of Cardiology (APSC) reports that this high number can be due to various factors, the most prominent being bad lifestyle choices and unhealthy diets. Despite trying to be physically fit, people suffer from poor health due to lifestyle behaviours such as food and drink choices, smoking, alcoholism, inadequate sleep and more,” says Dr H.N. Mishra, Senior Consultant Interventional Cardiologist, Apollo Hospital Bhubaneswar.

Unfortunately, most individuals do not take the onset of the conditions seriously until they become more critical, mainly due to the lack of understanding of the condition and their implications. Not only the public but also caregivers confuse the medical terms and use them interchangeably without understanding the repercussions.

“While heart complications and associated co-morbid conditions are interlinked, these conditions require distinct treatments based on a patient’s medical condition. Thus, it becomes essential to understand how the three most critical CVD conditions, heart attacks, heart failure and sudden cardiac deaths, differ in condition, symptoms, and treatment,” says Dr Mishra.

On the occasion of World Heart Day (September 29), let’s understand from Dr Mishra how heart attack, sudden cardiac arrest and heart failure are different from each other.

1. Heart attack

A heart attack occurs when blood flow to the heart is reduced or blocked. Blood clots, atherosclerosis, fat, or cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries cause this blockage. During a heart attack, the heart continues to beat, but oxygen-rich blood can’t reach the organ for proper functioning. The longer the treatment is delayed, the more damage happens, causing a heart attack possibly leading to sudden cardiac arrest.

The three types of heart attacks are:

  • Unstable angina: Damage to the heart due to reduced blood flow to the heart occurring at rest or on minimal exertion in the absence of damage of heart muscle is an unstable angina. This could lead to heart attack.
  • Non-ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (NSTEMI): When the coronary artery is partially blocked, blood flow is reduced, causing damage to the heart. This condition is referred to as NSTEMI, which is a severe condition.
  • ST segment elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI): When a coronary artery becomes completely blocked, and a large portion of the muscle stops receiving blood, the condition is referred to as STEMI or a major heart attack.
  • MINOCA: When the patient of heart attack with signs and symptoms of heart damage, investigations suggesting damage to heart and blood vessel supplying the heart is < 50% blocked and not obstructing the blood flow, then the condition is referred to as MINOCA or Myocardial Infarction with Non-Obstructive Coronary Arteries.
Symptoms of heart attack

Heart attack symptoms might vary based on age, gender, and lifestyle. However, some common signs include chest pain, shortness of breath, cold sweats, nausea, and vomiting, which usually develop slowly over time. If you or someone you know is experiencing these symptoms, an immediate visit to a cardiologist is recommended.

World Heart Day 2023: Sudden cardiac arrest, heart attack, heart failure; what's the difference? Cardiologist explains

2. Heart failure

When the heart cannot pump enough blood through the body, the condition is referred to as heart failure. The condition is caused by multiple underlying conditions such as coronary artery disease, high blood pressure or diabetes.

Symptoms of heart failure

The most common symptoms of heart failure are swelling of feet, ankles and legs as the heart’s pumping ability weakens, and blood and fluid travel back into the lungs. Some people also experience weakness, lethargy, and shortness of breath. A cardiologist will determine the underlying cause of heart failure and then outline the treatment based on the cause.

3. Cardiac arrest

When there is a sudden loss of all heart activity due to an irregular heart rhythm, the condition is referred to as cardiac arrest. During a cardiac arrest, the person stops breathing and becomes unconscious, which could lead to death without immediate treatment. The underlying causes of cardiac arrest include coronary heart disease, physical stress, and hereditary disorders. However, cardiac arrest can also occur with no known cause. Emergency treatment with professional healthcare providers is required for sudden cardiac arrest. The line of treatment could include cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and shocks to the heart with an automated external defibrillator (AED).

“Any heart condition is serious and requires immediate medical intervention. Recognizing the warning signs early is crucial for timely intervention and preventing complications. Besides staying vigilant and seeking prompt medical attention when needed, people should go for regular check-ups with a cardiologist and maintaining a healthy lifestyle,” adds Dr Mishra.

Read more at-https://shorturl.at/nCG29

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Medical Updates Medicine & Health

5 ways climbing stairs can improve your heart health

5 ways climbing stairs can improve your heart health

Climbing stairs is a heart-healthy exercise as it can not only improve cardiorespiratory fitness but also indicate if anything is wrong with your heart.

Climbing stairs is one of the most inexpensive, convenient and effective ways to keep fit. It is especially a heart-healthy exercise as it can not only improve cardiorespiratory fitness but can also indicate if anything is wrong with your heart. In some ways, climbing stairs is more effect than walking on plain ground and also provides workout to your lower body which may be deprived of any movement due to sedentary lifestyle of people. Stair climbing is also good for lowering high blood pressure.

According to the journal of Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise, just half-n-hour of stair-climbing a week, broken up in 10-minute sessions three times a week, can greatly improve cardiorespiratory fitness. There are studies that prove people who can climb 4 consecutive flights of stairs in less than 1 minute have good cardiovascular health. On the other hand, if you take more than 1 minute 30 seconds to climb 4 flights of stairs, it could indicate cardiovascular disease.

Taking the stairs instead of elevators is a simple yet effective way to improve your heart health. According to Dr Jayati Rakhit, Founder and Clinical Director at Ohio Hospital in Newtown, Kolkata, here are five ways this choice can have a positive impact on your cardiovascular well-being:

5 ways climbing stairs can improve your heart health

5 ways taking stairs can improve your heart health

  1. Enhanced cardiovascular fitness

Climbing stairs is a cardiovascular exercise that engages multiple muscle groups, including the legs and core. Regular stair climbing elevates your heart rate, promoting better cardiovascular fitness. Over time, this can lead to a stronger heart that pumps blood more efficiently and reduces the risk of heart disease.

2. Calorie burning and weight management

Opting for the stairs can help you burn calories, aiding in weight management and reducing the risk of obesity, a major contributor to heart problems. Climbing stairs engages larger muscle groups, which can burn more calories than taking the elevator. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for heart health.

3. Improved blood circulation

Stair climbing promotes better blood circulation throughout your body. As you climb, your heart pumps more blood, delivering oxygen and nutrients to your muscles and organs. This improved circulation can reduce the risk of blood clots, atherosclerosis, and hypertension, all of which can contribute to heart disease.

4. Lowered cholesterol levels

Regular physical activity, such as taking the stairs, can help raise high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol, often referred to as ‘good’ cholesterol. Higher levels of HDL cholesterol can reduce the build-up of ‘bad’ low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in your arteries. This lowers the risk of plaque formation and keeps your arteries clear and healthy.

5. Stress reduction

Climbing stairs can also serve as a stress-reliever. Physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, natural mood enhancers that reduce stress and anxiety. Chronic stress is linked to heart disease, so managing stress through regular stair climbing can have a protective effect on your heart.

Incorporating this simple change into your daily routine can contribute significantly to a healthier heart and a reduced risk of heart disease. So, the next time you’re faced with the choice between stairs and an elevator, consider taking the stairs for the sake of your heart’s well-being.

Read more at-https://shorturl.at/ahw25